Knockdown toy



Nov. 12, 1946,

H. GREENBERG ETAL 2,410,874

KNOCKDOWN TOY Filed Jan. '11. 1946 19 2o 26 IENTOR 'ORNEY Patented Nov. 12, 1946 KNDCKDOPWN TOY Henry Greenberg, New York, and John J. OConnell, Jamaica, N. Y., assignors to N orwalk Lock Company, South Norwalk, Conn a corporation of Connecticut Application January. 11, 1946, Serial No. 640,435

23 Claims.

The present invention deals with knockdown structural toys and specifically is concerned with new and improved educational toys particularly applicable for convenient assembly of miniature structures to simulate certain types of buildings, bridges, chassis, hoists or parts thereof although in the broadest aspect the invention is not limited in this respect. One object of the invention resides in the provision of animproved knockdown toy wherein a connector embodying complementary and separable clamping. members is utilized to swingably or rotatably sustain a plurality of rod holders in the form of expandible and contractible nipples. Another object of the-invention is realized in the provision of an improved nipple comprising self retractible separable sections for removably sustaining a brace or rod. Another object' is to yieldingly retain the complementary sections of a nipple togetherby an interrupted but resilient ring permitting slightseparation of the sections or the expansion of the nipple on the insertion of a rod or brace into the latter. A further object is to provide a serviceable nipple comprising complementary sections having arcuate arranged slots adapted to receive or interlock with arcuatetrack means of spaced and adjustably controlled'clamping members whereby the nipples in the unclamping relation of the members may be displaced arcuately; to predetermined positions and thereafter readily clamped in such predetermined positions. Other objects, advantages and andcontractible rod holding nipple.

Fig.5 is a plan View of Fig. 4. g

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Figgl illustrating a rod yieldingly clamped between complementary separablesections of a nipple.

Fig. 7 is a side view of Fi 4.

, Fig. 8 is an exploded andperspective view of Fig. 6. 1"

Fig. 9 is an exploded view of thesupport or connector for .firmly clamping the complementary s emed t n pp es against t e reds; a v

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of one connector or nipple support illustrating the manner in which the'rod holding nipples may be rotated or swung on the spaced disc of the support in an unclamped relation of the latter, and I Fig, .11 is a-view similar to Fig. 2 however illustrating another connector for rotatably sustainlllg the rod holders or nipples.

According to the invention the ends of the cylindrical rods or braces l 0 are removably sustained in split substantially cone shaped nipples or holders N each defined-by opposing but identical complementary separable and mating sections II and I2 having inner flat faces l3 each interrupted by a semicircular groove l4 characterizing a cylindricalbore l5 inthe assembled relation of the sections.

As illustrated, the upper cylindrical end or head of each assembled nippl N is cylindrical and'embodies an annular groove 16 in which the interrupted resilient wire ring I! is appropriately retained for holding the inside fiat faces l3 of the complementary section 1 I and I2: yieldingly together when no rod or brace means I0 is inserted into the bore 15 (Figs4 and 5)1 7 t With the Wirerin l 'l yieldingly holding the complementary sections. Land [2 together, the latter may be separated or expanded slightly on insertion of a rod or brace ill into the companion semi-circular grooves i l. The reactiv force imparted by the interrupted. annular wire" but review similar to Fig. 2 however with" silientring I! causes'gwallsof the grooves 14 to engage the rod thus initially and. slightly clamping the latterv and even in such clamped relation the retaining. ring I! precludes complete detach: ment of the complementary clamping sections II and I2.

Each of the complementary section-s H and I2 'ofa nipple or holder N also embodies an arcuate slot l8 adaptedito-receiveethe curved or annular track, flange or. rim I9 cf-a' connector or coupling generally denoted G comprising companion nipple sustaining detachabl'yf.associated discs 26 "each including the inwardly, disposed complementary hub sections orbosse's 2| 'each'h'aving a semicircular groove 22." lijach of the complementary hub sections or guide means 2| also'includes a flat'face 23 adapted to disengageablycontact in the assembledr'elation'of the 'discslgljwhereupon ing nut 21 mounted on the threaded shank};

"spaced discs 20.

which in part is surrounded by a helicoidal spring 28 disposed underneath the slotted head 29 of the screw or bolt 25 in the mating cutaway portions 3!! and 3| defining the circular. recess generally indicated 32. The opening 26 may be said to be the mouths for the bore formed by the semi-circular grooves '22 and for the circular recess 32. By reason of the openings 26, the discs or members 20 may be said for purposes of specification to be annular.

By unloosening the clamping member or nut 21 the companion discs 20 may be moved apart slightly against the resistance ofiered by the helicoidal spring 28. Hence the nipples or rod holders N may be inserted between the discs so that the curved tracks or flanges l9 readily snap into the arcuate slots H! of the complementary sections H and I2, these slots having an axis or loci of curvature normal to the axis of the nipple N. Or in other words each nipple is interlocked with the companion discs 26 which by reason of the tracks I!) fitting into the arcuate guide slots l8 permit the nipples to be swiveled or rotatably displaced along the tracks l9, that is about the origin of the companion discs 20 to a desired position after which nut 27 is again tightene'd. By such action the complementary sec tions H and 12 of each nipple firmly clamp against a rod or brac'elfl.

With the arrangement described, a nipple may be readily mounted between the companion discs 20 or may be conveniently removed therefrom. Even though mounted between these discs a nipple may be retained by the tracks I9 to permit displacement thereof along the curved tracks. However each nipple separates slightly upon insertion of a rod or brace l therein against the resistance of the retaining spring-ring ll. Should the rod be removed from a nipple, the spring ring I8 immediately contracts and closes the complementar'y sections II and I2 to bring their fiat faces Hi again together orin juxtaposition. The grooves 18 of these sections form reduced neck portions 33 merged with the upper semi-circular portion 34 defining the circular head of a nipple and the semi-'circular'conical portions -35 defining the substantially-frusto-conical portions of the nipple.

The retaining ring I! as previously stated yieldingly holds the complementary sections of a nip-' ple together and thereby permits convenient handling thereof as 'a unit and as such may be quickly assembled with or attached to the support or connector therefor characterized by the In the embodiment according to Fig. 11, the spring 28 is disposed in a recess MI in the-boss M in one 'of the discs "both of which embody the alined openings 26 for receiving and guiding shank 24 of the bolt'25. In Fig. 2 the bosses or hubs 2| extendappreciably beyond the-discs and are separable Wherea in Fig. 11 the bosses ii are not split nor do they extend appreciably beyond their respective 'annular'rims 19. In other aspects the form according to Fig. 11 is along the lines illustratedin' Figs. 1-10.

By the present invention the frame work broadly designated F '(Fig. 1) for a structural toy maybe readily built up or put together. No special skill is required. vSince the parts are removably associated the frame work may be readily disconnected whereby the parts may occupy a relatively small space. "The. type of framework shown in Fig. lis merely illustrative and obviously many other types of structures may be put together with the herein connector C and rod holders N.

The spring 28 in all of the embodiments disclosed also serves to retract discs 20 against the rod holders N after the latter are inserted between the discs of the connector C.

In Fig. 1 six rod holders N are removably mounted on each connector C. Of course more than six or less than six may be mounted thereon as is well understood, and if desired only one rod and holder may be so mounted. At any rate, each connector C is adapted to removably clamp a plurality of rod supports or holders N.

Various changes may be made in details of construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit of the invention or sacrificing any of the advantages thereof inherent therein.

We claim:

1. In a knockdown toy, brace means, a nipple comprising complementary sections defining a bore for removable reception of said brace means, each of said sections embodying an arcuate slot, spaced members having arcuate track means removably projecting into said slots for guiding displacement of said nipple about said members, and means for clamping said track means against said sections for clamping the latter against said brace means.

2. In a knockdown toy, brace means, a nipple comprising complementary sections defining a bore for removable reception of said brace means, each of said sections embodying an arcuate slot, means for yieldably retaining said sections together, spaced members having arcuate track means removably projecting into said slots for guiding arcuate displacement of said nipple about said members, and means for clamping said track means against said sections for clampingthe latter against said brace means.

3. In a knockdown toy, brace means, a nipple comprising complementary sections defining a bore for removable reception of said brace means each of said sections embodying an arcuate slot and a groove spaced from said slot, an interrup ted rin'g confined in said groovesfor yieldingly and each of sai'dsections embodying an arcuate slot, spaced discs having annular track means removably projecting into "said slots for guiding arcuate displacement of said nipple about said discs, and means for removab1y clamping said track means against said-sections for-removably clamping the latter against saidbrace means.

5. In a knockdown toy, brace means, a nipple comprising complementary sections defining a bore for removable reception-of said brace means and each of said sections embodyingan arcuate slot, spaced annular 'd'is'cs having arcuate track means removably projecting into said slots for guiding arcuate displacement of said nipple about said discs, and a bolt andnuttcarried by said discs for clamping said track means against said sections for clamping the latter against said brace means.

6. In a knockdown-toy, brace means, anipple comprising complementary sections defining "a bore 'for removable reception of said brace and each of said sections embodying an arcuate slot,

spaced means having arcuate trackmeans removably projecting into said slots for guiding arcuate displacement of said nipple about said spaced means, a bolt projecting through said spaced means, and a nut removably mounted on said bolt for moving said spaced means together for removably clamping said track means against said sections for clamping the latter against said brace means.

' 7. In a knockdown toy, brace means,'a-nipple comprising complementary sections defining a bore for removable reception of said brace means and each of said'sections embodying an arcuate slot, spacedmembers having'arcuate track means removably projecting into said slots for guiding arcuate displacement of said nipple about said members and having alined guide means, a bolt having a shank removably disposed in said guide means and having a threaded portion, and a nut mounted on said threaded portion for clamping said track means against said sections and the latter against said brace means.

8. In a knockdown toy, brace means, a nipple comprising complementary sections defining a bore for removable reception of said brace means and each of said sections embodying an arcuate slot, spaced discs having arcuate track means removably projecting into said slots for guiding arcuate displacement of said nipple about said discs and having alined guide means, a bolt having a head and a shank extending from said head and removably receivable in said guide means and including a threaded portion, an internally threaded nut mounted on said threaded portion, and a spring interposedbetween said head and one of said discs for'resisting the separation of the latter.

9. In a knockdown toy, brace means, a nipple comprising complementary sections defining a bore for removable reception of said brace means andeach of said sections embodying an arcuate slot, spaced annular discs having arcuate track means removably projecting into said slots for guiding arcuate displacement of said nipple about said discs and having alined openings and including recessed means in alinement with said openings, a bolt having a head and a shank extending from said head and removably receivable in saidopenings andincluding a threaded portion, an internally threaded nut mounted on said threaded portion, and a helicoidal spring surrounding said shank and disposed in said recessed means and cooperating with said head to resist separation of said discs.

l0. In a knockdown toy, brace means, a nipple comprising complementary separable sections defining a bore for removable reception of said brace means and each of said sections embodying an arcuate slot, spaced members having arcuate track means extending from said members and removably projecting into said slots for guiding arcuate displacement of said nipple about said members, bosses extending from said members and including guide means, abolt having a head and including a shank slidably disposed in said guide means and embodying a threaded portion, and an internally threaded nut mounted on said threaded portion for removably clamping said track means against said sections to removably clamp the latter against said brace means.

11. In a knockdown toy, a plurality of brace means, a plurality of nipples each comprising complementary separable sections defining a bore 6 for removable-reception of said brace means'and each of'saidsections embodying an arcuate slot, spaced members removably straddling said nipples and having guide means-arcuate track means; extending from saidmembers and removably projectinginto said slots for guiding arcuate-displacement of said nipple relative to said members, a bolt having a head and including a shank-slid-ably andremovably disposed insaid "guide-means and including a'threaded portion, and an internally threaded nut mounted on said threaded portion for removably clamping said members against said nipples and for-removably clamping said sections against said plurality of brace means; I r r I U 12. In a knockdown toy, brace means, a nipple comprising separable complementary and tapered sections defining a bore for removable reception of said brace meansand each'oi said sections embodying an exterior arcuate slot,"spaced members having arcuate track means removably projecting into said slots for guiding'arcuate displacement of said nipple relative to said members, and means carried by said membersfor adjustably clamping said track means against said sections for adjustablyclamping the latter against said brace means.

13. In a knockdown toy, brace means, a nipple comprising complementary separable sections defining a bore for removable reception of said brace means and each of said sections embodying an arcuate slot, spaced members straddling said nipple and having arcuate track means removably projecting into said slots for guiding arcuate displacement of said nipple relative to said members, bosses extending from said members and beyond said track means and including guide means, a bolt having a head and including a shank removably disposed in said guide means and embodying a; threaded portion, and an internally threaded nut mounted on said threaded portion for clamping said track means against said sections 'andthe latteragainst said brace means.

14, In a knockdown toy, brace means, a nipple comprising complementary and separable sections ment of said nipple relative to said discs, and adjustable means for actuating said discs for clamping said track means 'against said'sections and the latter against said brace means; i s

15. In a device for sustaining a rod, a'spli nipple comprising complementary sections having separable and contiguous internally disposed faces and complementary grooves interrupting said faces and defining a bore for removably receiving said rod, said sections embodying .eomplementary head portions and having arcuate slots disposed below said head portions, spaced members removably straddling said sections and having arcuate means removably extending into said slots for movably guiding displacement of said nipple relative to said members, and means for removably clamping said arcuate means against said sections for removably clamping the latter against said rod.

16. In a device for sustaining a rod, a split nipple comprising complementary sections having separable and contiguous internally disposed faces and complementary grooves interrupting said.

faces and defining a bore for removably receiving said rod, said sections embodying complementary head portions and having arcuate slots disposed below said head portions, spaced members removably straddling said sections and having arcuate means removably extending into said slots for removably guiding displacement of said nipple relative to said members, spring means closely embracing and surrounding said head portions for yieldingly retaining said sections together, and means for removably clamping said arcuate means against said sections for removably clamping the latter against said rod.

1'7. A split nipple for receiving a member comprising complementary ections having separable and contiguous internally disposed faces and complementary grooves interrupting said faces'and defining a bore for removably receiving said member, said sections embodying complementary head portions and having arcuate slots disposed below said head portions, the axes of the curvature of said slots being normal to the axis of said nipple, and split spring means closely surrounding said nipple for yieldingly retaining said sections against said member.

18. A split nipple for receiving a member comprising complementary sections having separable and contiguous internally disposed faces and complementary grooves interrupting said faces and defining a bore adapted to removably receive said member, said sections embodying complementary head portions and having arcuate slots disposed below said head portions, the axes of the curvature of said slots being normal to the axis of said nipple, and an annular interrupted spring surrounding and embracing said head portions for yieldingly retaining said sections together.

19. In a device for sustaining a rod, a split nipple comprising complementary sections having separable and contiguous internally disposed faces and complementary grooves interrupting said faces and defining a bor for removably receiving said rod, spaced members removably straddling said sections, said members and sections having disengageable interlocking arcuate means for movably guiding arcuate displacement of said nipple relative to said members, and means for removably clamping said members against said sections for removably clamping the latter against said rod.

20. In a device for sustaining a rod, a split nipple comprising complementary sections having separable and contiguous internally disposed faces and complementary grooves interrupting said faces and defining a bore for removably receiving said rod, spaced members removably straddling said sections, said members and sections having disengageable interlocking arcuate means for movably guiding arcuate displacement of said nipple relative to said members, spring means closely embracing and surrounding said sections for yieldingly retaining said sections together, and means for removably clamping said members against said sections for removably clamping the latter against said rod.

21. In a knockdown toy, brace means, a nipple comprising companion sections adapted to be spread apart and having complementary grooves defining a bore for removable reception of said brace means and each of said sections embodying slot means disposed in a path through which an arc passes, spaced members straddling said sections and having arcuate track means removably projecting into said slot means for controlling arcuate displacement of said nipple relative to said members, said members each having guide means, a bolt having a head and including a shank removably disposed in said guide means and embodying a threaded portion, and an internally threaded nut mounted on said threaded portion for removably clamping said track means against said sections and the latter against said brace means.

22. In a knockdown toy, brace means, a nipple having head means and comprising complementary sections adapted to be spread apart and defining a bore for removable reception of said brace means and each of said sections embodying slot means disposed in a path through which an arc passes and disposed below said head means, spaced members straddling said sections and having arcuate track means removably projecting into said slot means for controlling arcuate displacement of said nipple relative to said members, said members each having guide means, a bolt having a head and including a shank removably disposed in said guide means and embodying a threaded portion, and an internally threaded nut mounted on said threaded portion for clamping said track means against said sections to clamp the latter against said brace means.

23. A nipple for receiving a brace member comprising juxtapositioned sections adapted to be spread apart and having contiguous internally disposed faces and complementary internally disposed grooves interrupting said faces and de-- fining a bore adapted to removably receive said member, and each of said sections havingexterior slot means disposed in a path through which an arc passes and having an axis substantially normalto the axis of said bore.

HENRY GREENBERG. JOHN J. OCONNELL. 

